Page 29 of Nicole's Shelter

“I’d keep her safe while you’re taking care of Cypress Security business, but sneaking her out when you’re done would be damn near impossible if she’s got a rogue agent on her tail.”

Rick patted her knees and stood, but Nicole was staring at some remembered horror he couldn’t see and she wasn’t ready to share. “Got anyone around here with her shoe size? I’ve got a disguise, but those boots will wreck it. I’m thinking work boots, but I’d settle for running shoes.”

“What kind of disguise?”

“Cameraman—emphasis on the ‘man’. I picked up a fishing vest and hat downstairs.”

“Well, hell. If you need guy clothes, let’s raid Kyle’s closet. My son,” Bart said for Nicole’s benefit. “Come on back.”

Rick tugged on her hand, concerned by her reluctance. He recognized a person on the verge of giving in to the situation. “Don’t give up yet and don’t worry. Kyle’s got decent fashion sense. For a guy.”

Her shoulders hitched in either a laugh or a sob. “Does he have long hair?”

“Yes,” Bart said with frank paternal exasperation. “He also has quite a collection of ball caps.”

“What a relief,” she muttered.

“I see what he’s thinking.” Watching Bart pull out his son’s clothes, Rick had a surge of hope that dressing her like a guy might actually work. “If the jeans fit.” The jeans she had on showed off the luscious curves of her hips and thighs and wouldn’t convince anyone she was a man.

“Yeah, that’s our biggest worry.”

Rick saw she’d changed her tune when she came out of the bathroom, her curves subdued by a t-shirt, oversized oxford, and loose-cut jeans with a wide belt. It was more than a little disconcerting that the disguise hadn’t muted his attraction one bit.

“Here they are,” Bart came up from the closet with a like-new pair of leather deck shoes. “He outgrew these within the first month.”

“How old is your son?”

“Thirteen,” Bart said with pride. “Do a man’s ponytail on the hair and you can pull this off. Especially with a ball cap.” He handed one over while Nicole secured her long hair with several bands spaced every few inches.

“Right.”

“We only need to fool strangers and only in the short term.” Unless… Why hadn’t he thought of this wrinkle earlier? “You don’t bank where the company banks do you?”

She shook her head.

Well, thank God for small favors. One potential disaster averted today. Maybe luck was turning in their favor.

“Which one of us will carry my purse?”

The cell phone clipped to Bart’s hip went off and he mouthed ‘book bag’ and pointed at the closet as he answered. He listened for a minute, said thanks, and hung up. “DEA just arrived.”

“And we’re just leaving.”

Nicole froze, looking as startled and panicked as a deer in front of a speeding Mack truck.

He gripped her shoulder. “Cram your purse in the book bag,” he directed. Turning to Bart he reached out and shook the man’s beefy hand. “I owe you.”

“We’ll settle up one day.”

Rick gave a nod, and the three of them left the apartment, Nicole between Bart and Rick.

The reserved parking space left the car out of view of anyone in the store and Rick and Nicole were soon just one more sedan at the busiest station in the area.

“God bless Bart’s capitalist heart,” Rick said, earning a chuckle from Nicole. “Want me to call you Nick while you’re a guy?”

“Not really.”

“Sal? Kevin? Gregory?”

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